Seasonal changes in thermal responses of urban residents to cold exposure

Abstract

To determine whether urban circumpolar residents show seasonal acclimatisation to cold, thermoregulatory responses and thermal perception during cold exposure were examined in young men during January–March ( n=7) and August–September ( n=8). Subjects were exposed for 24 h to 22 and to 10 °C. Rectal ( T rect) and skin temperatures were measured throughout the exposure. Oxygen consumption (VO 2), finger skin blood flow ( Q f), shivering and cold (CDT) and warm detection thresholds (WDT) were assessed four times during the exposure. Ratings of thermal sensations, comfort and tolerance were recorded using subjective judgement scales at 1-h intervals. During winter, subjects had a significantly higher mean skin temperature at both 22 and 10 °C compared with summer. However, skin temperatures decreased more at 10 °C in winter and remained higher only in the trunk. Finger skin temperature was higher at 22 °C, but lower at 10 °C in the winter suggesting an enhanced cold-induced vasoconstriction. Similarly, Q f decreased more in winter. The cold detection threshold of the hand was shifted to a lower level in the cold, and more substantially in the winter, which was related to lower skin temperatures in winter. Thermal sensations showed only slight seasonal variation. The observed seasonal differences in thermal responses suggest increased preservation of heat especially in the peripheral areas in winter. Blunted vasomotor and skin temperature responses, which are typical for habituation to cold, were not observed in winter. Instead, the responses in winter resemble aggravated reactions of non-cold acclimatised subjects.